Charges in shooting that left 14-year-old boy paralyzed

April 08, 2010

A Berwyn man has been charged in the Tuesday morning shooting that left a 14-year-old Austin boy on his way to school paralyzed from the waist down.

Police had said Danny Gilmore appeared to have been targeted by the gunman who came up behind him on foot and shot him multiple times on the street shortly after the boy and friends had bought chips and juice at a convenience store.

But no motive has yet come to light.

Antonio Simpson, 18, of the 2100 block of South Grove Street in Berwyn, was charged early this morning with aggravated battery with a firearm.

Police said he and a group of people approached Gilmore and Simpson opened fire. Witnesses led police to Simpson, who was taken into custody after a brief chase.

Simpson is scheduled to appear in bond court later today.

Family members said Wednesday that Danny is paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting, which occurred near a convenience store in the 5600 block of West Chicago Avenue. Relatives say the boy will need extensive physical therapy.